Braves’ Jason Heyward Expected to Fill in For B.J. Upton Monday

Braves player Jason Heyward is taking one more day to rest before filling in for B.J. Upton who is out with an adductor muscle strain.

Heyward was scheduled to play on Sunday but decided to take another day after injuring his right hamstring while sliding on July 11 against the Cincinnati Reds.

“He let me know he’d like me to play center until B.J. gets back, which is A-OK with me,” Jason Heyward told the (AJC) about a conversation with manager Freddie Gonzalez. “I just wanted to make sure that my legs were 100 percent before I go out there and attempt to do that. So, having this extra day is great for me.

Heyward regularly plays right field but will play center until Upton is off the 15-day disabled list.

“I’m ready to go play some defense (Sunday), if I have to, late in the game. And tomorrow (Monday at New York) see where we’re at. But I think I’ll be good to go for tomorrow,” Heyward initially told the AJC.